Hi,
Remember when I talked about the Lomo’Instant Automat’s Kickstarter campaign? Now I have it in my hands.
That was fast comparing to the Lomo’Instant campaign which I backed for too. This only took about 2 months and in time for one of my recent short trip. When I received it, I was really excited just like how a child would be when he/she receives a new toy. I immediately opened it and accidentally torn the side of the box…
Touted as the most advanced instant camera by Lomography, you can now take photos with its updated, digital-camera-accurate metering system that chooses the right aperture/shuttle speed/flash output, every single time. This ensure that we will get the best results in our polaroids.
UNBOXING
Anyways, as always, Lomo packs a number of cute stuffs together with the camera. There’s the box of photo cards that gives you hints on how to recreate the same effect on the photo cards. Some colour gels and the awesome remote control cap. Its really awesome that this camera takes infra-red remote and including it was a great way to show that mindfulness towards their customers. I got a matching camera strap with distance markings, “Splitzer” lens attachment that helps you split your image with multi-exposures, and more colour gels as rewards for Kickstarter stretch goals.
Design and Features
out of the box, my first impression was “How small this thing is!!” Its about 20-30% smaller than its predecessor the Lomo’Instant. This is getting real close to being ‘palm-sized’ and with its collapsible lens, its almost pocketable. You need to be wearing baggy pants to pocket the thing, skinny fit will probably crush it with the pressure of your thigh and tight pocket.
From the front you can see its got the lens with a little focusing tab. One black button right beside the lens that look like a ‘lens release’ tab on an interchangable lens camera. That’s actually the on/off lock button, you need to twist the lens to turn it on and engage the lock. That means you won’t turn off the camera accidentally while focusing. To off, you have to twist the lens to the off position while depressing the button. The other button on the front is the shiny shutter button that doubles as a selfie mirror.
On the back there’s the flash toggle, Multi-exposure toggle, + / – Exposure compensation toggle and the Auto or Bulb shuttle speed toggle. And of course, the film cartridge chamber and battery compartment. It takes 2x Lithium CR2 batteries which I got for cheap during one the IT shows here.
Wait. Where’s that elusive film counter? No matter where I look I don’t see any film counters anywhere. I know there’re only 10 films in one cartridge, but I can’t count pass 5!! Ok just joking, well I don’t always take 10 shots at a time because 1 shot can cost up to $1.50 damn it. So it’ll be helpful to have the counter, won’t kill for it though.
Then when I least expected it, it appeared.. When I was using it one day. I see the light.. On the body.. So after every shot, there will be one less light till when you finish the cartridge. Cool right! Its all in the details man.
Next is the remote, I’ve no idea how to get the timer mode to work. Yup its got 2 modes on that lens cap/remote. Luckily I was testing the timer in private, if not I would’ve look stupid standing there posing for the shot but the shot never fired… LOL. The range isn’t very far, well its infrared so its got its limitations. But I find the range adequate, the photos are small so if you stand too far away you will appear like a speck of dust in the photo.
And so there you have it, a cool little polaroid camera that shoots card sized instant photos. Its got many more ways to customise your shots and in the box, there are cards for you to refer to with the suggested way to capture something similar.
I like to read about lomography stuff, its got this relaxed and casual vibe with all the products they made and the idea is just go out there, live and capture as and when you feel like it, no pressure. This is exactly what I want in everything. Although life is never always ideal, but holding a lomo in my hands sure consoles my soul. LOL.
Cheers guys, hope this helps.
Simon Tey
